Story by Patience Nyagato
15-year-old Zimbabwean ballet dancer Jaydon Makamba, who is based in Southampton, England, has earned a place at the prestigious Tring Park School for the Performing Arts after just two years of formal training, becoming one of the few Black male dancers breaking barriers in professional ballet and inspiring young people at home and abroad with his rising international profile.
Already featured on BBC Radio, BBC South, and the Southampton Daily Echo, Jaydon’s story is capturing hearts.
“I was definitely overlooked. I often hear how other people got seen just based on how they looked while dancing. I am just thankful I was able to put myself out there. I want to inspire young people to explore the options out there. If you are not supporting them, you will set them up for failure,” ballet dancer, Jaydon Makamba said.
From age four, Jaydon loved performing, but ballet came by chance two years ago, while preparing to audition for Orb, a contemporary dance group.
“Jaydon is carrying the Zimbabwe flag into spaces where we are not well represented. He is making way for the children to come. Our son, Jaydon, has been given an exceptional opportunity in ballet — one that very few young people, particularly Black boys, ever receive. In just two years of formal ballet training, he has secured a place at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, one of the UK’s leading ballet and performing arts schools. This is a huge achievement and a testament to his dedication, discipline, and talent.”
“What makes this even more significant is that ballet is an area where representation is still very limited, and Jaydon’s journey is already beginning to open doors and challenge perceptions. His story has started to gain attention, and we are incredibly proud that he has recently been featured on BBC Radio Solent and BBC South, Southampton Daily Echo and social media platforms ‘Black Lives Matter’,” his mother said.
Jaydon joins a list of many who have dared to dream and have been raising the country’s flag high across different art forms.
